Abuse of office has emerged as the most common offense committed by officials in local governments, a trend that continues to erode public trust, fuel corruption, and undermine service delivery across the country. Local governments collectively manage more than seven trillion shillings from the national budget and serve as the frontline institutions responsible for delivering essential public services, including healthcare, education, water, road infrastructure, and agricultural extension services to communities.
However, reports from the Inspectorate of Government (IGG) reveal persistent cases of public officials abusing their positions for personal gain, improperly influencing administrative decisions, and disregarding established procedures while carrying out their official duties. Such practices not only compromise accountability and transparency but also hinder the effective delivery of services intended to improve the welfare of citizens.
The IGG Performance Report 2025 indicates that 257 cases were investigated and concluded in local governments during the reporting period. As a result of the investigations, the Inspectorate recommended the recovery of Shs2.1 billion and administrative action against 222 public officials, while 22 officers were prosecuted. The report shows that abuse of office accounted for the highest number of cases investigated, with 83 cases recorded. It was followed by misappropriation of funds with 26 cases, embezzlement with 12 cases, and forgery with 11 cases.
The Inspectorate also investigated 10 bribery cases and five cases involving causing financial loss to the government, among other offenses. The Inspector General of Government said the institution had intensified engagement with stakeholders in local governments to address the root causes of corruption in public service delivery and identify measures to mitigate the vice.
Local leaders in Luwero district argue that many incidents of abuse of office go unnoticed or unreported despite being widespread in government institutions, hence crippling service delivery. Erastus Kibirango, the LCV Chairperson of Luwero District, said many public officers abuse their offices either unknowingly due to a limited understanding of regulations or deliberately because the practice has become normalized in some institutions.
Kibirango cited the misuse of government vehicles and fuel as one of the most common but least reported forms of abuse of office. “Many officers use government vehicles contrary to established regulations, but such cases rarely reach the Inspectorate of Government because the practice has become normalized in some institutions,” said Kibirango.
He cited the example of government vehicles, which are supposed to be driven by designated official drivers, yet senior officers drive the vehicles themselves to their private homes, in violation of the guidelines. “Such actions may appear minor, but they amount to abuse of office and reflect a broader disregard for public service regulations,” he noted.
Bernard Okello, the Luwero District Human Resource Officer, explained that abuse of office can occur through both action and inaction, particularly when officers deliberately disregard laid-down procedures. According to Okello, when such cases are brought to the attention of Chief Administrative Officers, disciplinary action can be taken under the Rewards and Sanctions Framework of 2019.
“Where officers feel that justice may not be served through internal disciplinary mechanisms, they can report the matter to the IGG, which has powers to investigate and prosecute abuse of office as a criminal offense,” Okello said.
Meanwhile, Erukam Kyoole Wamala, the Chairperson of the Luwero District Public Accounts Committee, said abuse of office has significantly affected service delivery, especially when senior officials use their positions to solicit bribes, influence decisions, or favour particular individuals in recruitment and deployment processes.
“The unfortunate thing is that many cases of abuse of office are never reported or successfully prosecuted because victims fear retaliation or choose not to report them to the relevant authorities,” Kyoole said.
He noted that the Public Accounts Committee mainly handles cases involving misappropriation of funds, embezzlement, and financial loss because such offenses leave a documentary trail that can easily be verified, unlike abuse of office, which is often difficult to prove.
Concerns over the misuse of government property have persisted in Luwero for years. In the Auditor General’s report for the 2014/2015 and 2015/2016 financial years, the district administration was faulted for lacking effective policies to control and manage its vehicle fleet.
A decade later, little appears to have changed. Government vehicles are still frequently seen operating during weekends, beyond official working hours, and outside the district without movement orders from the Chief Administrative Officer.
Public Service Standing Orders require accounting officers in ministries and local governments to authorize the use of pool vehicles through movement orders, especially when vehicles are used outside official working hours. Government vehicles are generally restricted to official duties between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
The standing orders further require officers in possession of government vehicles beyond official hours to park them at the nearest police station for safe custody. Despite these regulations, residents report that government vehicles are regularly seen parked at bars late at night, while others are allegedly used to transport charcoal, firewood, and water for private purposes — practices that point to continued disregard for public service guidelines.
As the Inspectorate intensifies efforts to combat corruption in local governments, leaders and accountability advocates are calling for stricter enforcement of regulations, stronger whistleblower protection, and greater public vigilance to curb abuse of office and improve service delivery. On Tuesday, June 30th next week, the IGG, through the Transparency, Accountability and Anti-Corruption (TAAC), is expected to meet leaders in Luwero to sensitise them on the mandate of the ombudsman in promoting service delivery-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
